Key largo

[MsParamedic]

I teach for Silent World, and we run 30ft Island Hoppers with a max capacity of 14 people.

As far as the Spiegel---yes it is definitely a AOW dive (especially in December with the seas tend to be a tad rough). If you don't have your AOW, you may consider getting it while on your dive vacation and make the Spiegel your deep dive. Another option would be to hire a guide/DM/Instructor to accompany you on your dive.

Pat

 

[trigfunctions]

There is good, easy diving in the Keys, but you need to know that most dive shops do not send a divemaster in the water with you unless you arrange for one and pay extra in advance. You jump off theboat with your buddy and are expected to find the reef and your way back to the boat all by yourself.

Since you have not been diving much, I recommend that you hire a dive guide. That way he or she can point out the cool critters and do the navigation and you can relax and enjoy the dive.

 

[Buoyant1]

I dove with Brent and BlueWater I highly reccomend them! If you want to dive a good wreck ask to dive the Benwood, what an awesome dive to do as my first wreck!

The reefs there are the best I've ever seen!

 

[Diveral]

Heading down there in a week and a half. Will get in some reef diving with Conch Republic and take the wife snorkeling on some shallow reefs. Trying to meet Jsgt and her dive buddy for a night dive one evening. Anyone diving with Conch Republic on the morning of May 5?

 

[cinder4320]

I dove with Silent World back in January. They were great and their boats are small and not crowded. Very nice and professional. You can fine my previous posts about the trip. We dove the Grove with them and ti was great. Also did lots of shallow reefs and the Duane (coast guard cutter). I'd recommend the City of Washington. It was my favorite!

Miranda

 

[rainmaker]

I dove with Silent Word in February. They run a safe, courteous, professional and efficient dive operation. In my opinion, the 10 dive / 5 trip package that they offer for $200 is one of the best dive deals in the Keys. I look forward to diving with them again. Their website is loacted here:

http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/index.html

There's lots of shallow and beautiful reef dives in Key Largo where all you need is OW certification. Don't miss the Benwood wreck; a multitude of wildlife in about 35 ft. of water (my favorite dive so far).

There's a complete trip report of my Key Largo trip at my website.

Have fun and be safe; I envy you the trip.

 

[MikeSSS]

I've been out with Quiesence dive shop a few times. I really like them. But they run sixpack monohuls from the lee side and have to go through the marvin cut and the mangrove forrest. So, you go on the morning dive, two tanks for $55 and then come in through the mangroves and cut and you have just a few minutes to wolf down lunch and fill your tanks before going out on the pm dive trip. So a day, four tanks is 110 bux. They are very nice and competent.

Went out with It's A Dive, out of the Mariot hotel I think. They also go out from the lee side but use a big pontoon boat with big outboards. The pontoon boats ride better and are faster, so you get a longer lunch when you come in. 25 divers or so and it costs more.

Capt. Slate goes out from the other side and so his boats should be able to get to the better conditions before the lee side operators. And you should have more time for lunch. I think he charges 60 dollars for each trip so it costs 120 dollars for am and pm, four tanks total. Have not gone out with him though, so this is speculation.

The Keys are very laid back and the locals are nice.

 

[snorkbot]

I went out with Capt. Slate last year. I found them to be organized, courteous and professional, and they took us to a variety of reefs over the 3 days my husband and I dove with them. They are a fairly sizeable operation, with multiple boats going out daily. However, their boats were not very crowded (no more than about 14 divers or so when I was there), although I don't know what their limit is.

Overall, I think they try to embody the best of both a larger operation (reasonable prices, variety of dive sites offered daily...) and a smaller dive op (less crowded boats, friendly service). And they are mostly successful at straddling that fence. One thing: I don't remember what their bottom time limits were, but I remember thinking that they wanted us back on board with quite a lot of air left. So, ask before you book.

Happy Diving!

 

[Divergirl4U]

5/19 thru 5/21 my next planned trip Conch Republic dives ... All divers welcome
Kim P
Here are some other dive charters I have gone out with:
Ocean divers
http://www.oceandivers.com/
Silent World
http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/
Tavernier Dive Center
http://www.tavernierdivecenter.com/
I prefer Tavernier Dive Center

 

[av8er23]

I have dove with Silent World three different times and have been satisfied all three times. Small boat with very cool and enjoyable crew. Last time I was there I got 5 boat dives (10 tanks) for $199.99 that is quite a deal.